Letter: Face the facts — tariffs don't work and hurt the average American

(Sen.) Lindsey Graham recently said that Americans may have to bear some financial hardships due to President Trump’s trade war with China. The assumption is that endurance in the short run will pay off later when China realizes the “error of its ways.”

Several weeks ago China eliminated all agricultural imports from our country in retaliation to Trump’s tariffs. This is a country that bought 60% of our soybean crop just two years ago.

What, then, is happening in the agriculture sector of our country’s economy? Prices for many farm commodities like soybeans, corn, wheat and cotton have fallen significantly, which is already having negative ripple effects through the banks and all industries that service farmers.

But more importantly, farm families are suffering with increased bankruptcies and suicides reported.

You may say that what’s happening to our farmers doesn’t affect the average person. One might say that his/her job or career is not threatened by any trade war. That would be a false assumption.

Goods from China are already more expensive at Target and Walmart and could rise even more. Trump says that the Chinese are paying for his tariffs. Not true!

The Chinese have a 2,000+- year-old culture and will weather this trade war. They are already buying more wheat from Canada and Australia and more soybeans from South America. And with major investment in their “Belt and Road” program, they have the vision to develop new and sustainable trade systems with Russia, Europe, Africa and South America.

Tariffs don’t work, and one day all Americans will see their bank accounts hurt due to this despicable and non-workable trade policy.